Think of the gorgeous, fashionable Jennifer Lopez today and then remember she was once just a “Fly Girl” on the show In Loving Color, dancing her way to the top with dark red lipstick and a boy cut. Or the glamorous Jennifer Garner at a red carpet event and remember that she was a tomboyish nerd with glasses on the one-time hit show Felicity.

These stylish gals have gone through major style evolutions, trading in tacky threads for designer duds and glamorous looks. And they aren’t the only ones. Here are four fierce fashionistas, who have mastered the fine art of dressing up designer, without losing their personal sense of self.

Kristen Stewart
Anyone who knows Kristen Stewart has watched her evolve in more ways than one. Obviously, she’s grown from a scrawny teen to one of the most well-known actresses in the world, thanks to her Twilight movies. What does this mean? Besides baring your heart in public once it’s been confirmed you cheated on your boyfriend…well, trading in plaid button-downs for floral dresses! We know she’s still a t-shirt and jeans girl at heart, but who can pass up a Balenciaga jacket or an embroidered Zuhair Murad Fall 2012 knee-length dress (as seen above). And of course, the clincher, she trades in her Jimmy Choos for a pair of Barbara Bui sneaks! Keepin’ it real Stewart, keepin’ it real!

Kim Kardashian
Who else had their mouth wide open in shock as Kanye West and his stylist tore through his girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s closet, prone to giving the already style-savvy lady a fashion makeover? Kardashian had already traded in her much too big wide leg trousers, camouflage prints, and too-tight button downs for sleek dresses and leather pants. So what happens when Kanye West comes to town? Kim Kardashian trades in her Guess jeans and Dash dresses for full furs and high-fashion Rick Owens sunglasses. Are you a fan of this reality star’s fashion evolution?

Blake Lively
Who was Blake Lively before Gossip Girl? We can certainly tell you she wasn’t a fan of Marchesa or a Karl Lagerfeld muse. As a cast member of the movie Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants and the girlfriend of co-star Penn Badgley, she went for yellow sundresses and easy t-shirts. Now as the star of Gossip Girl and WIFE of movie star Ryan Reynolds, she’s a pro at wearing embroidery, silk, and feathers. We’re sad we didn’t get to see Lively at the Marchesa Spring/Summer 2013 runway show during New York Fashion Week, but we’re certainly not sorry she chose the high fashion brand to create her glamorous wedding dress. Lively is one of those girls that picked up high fashion quickly and we can’t wait to see what she dons next!

Katie HolmesKatie Holmes in her Dawson’s Creek was the Katie Holmes I thought we’d always see. Girly, tomboyish, with t-shirt, and jeans—that’s the Katie Holmes I expected to stay. Throw in a couple of hit movies and one of the most famous actors in the world as a husband and suddenly you’ve got Lady Katie! Katie stars wearing designer dresses, YSL bathing suits and high heels, dressing her daughter in fashion to match! While she’s still a J. Mendel jeans kind of girl, we’re always happy to see her in a Holmes & Yang ensemble (Holmes and fashion partner Jeanne Yang presented their first-ever collection at New York Fashion Week this season) with gorgeous jackets or shoes to match. Holmes has come into her own. There was a point in her life when she was going overboard in the fashion department, but she has seemingly come to find her own style and what suits her. And that’s, of course, the style we like best.